KPFA - Project Censored KPFA

May 3 is World Press Freedom Day. In the first segment, Mickey speaks with Professor Andrew Kennis, who explains his new theoretical model of media and society and also proposes reform policies (notably BBC-style public financing) to revive U.S. journalism in a way that serves the public, rather than commercial interests.
Then, Mickey and Eleanor discuss the growing protests occurring around the US in opposition to more aid and weapons being sent to Israel for their attacks on Gaza. They address the media framing and censorship around those First-Amendment-protected events happening on a rapidly increasing number of America’s college campuses and revisit the echoes of Kent State, as we approach the 54th anniversary of those tragic events on May 4th 1970.
 
The post World Press Freedom Day: Independent Media, Social Justice, and the Vox Populi appeared first on KPFA.

In the first segment, Mickey speaks with Professor Raza Rumi, director of the Park Center for Independent Media at Ithaca College, who explains the declining relevance of “legacy” media and the essential work of a truly independent press. They also discuss media censorship and propaganda around Israel and Hamas and what appears to be an unfolding genocide Gaza, as well as the coming 16th Annual Izzy Awards at the Park Center (named after the late great muckraking reporter, I.F. Stone), which honors the best independent journalism in the public interest.
Then, Mickey and Eleanor deconstruct how establishment media are slanting Gaza coverage in Israel’s favor, including at the New York Times, which has gone so far as to control language and censor their own journalists, while demonizing those who offer counter-narratives based on transparently sourced factual reports from the region.
GUEST:
Raza Rumi is Director of the Park Center for Independent Media at Ithaca College in upstate New York and has held a variety of other academic appointments in his career, including at Cornell University and the Roosevelt House Public Policy Institute at Hunter College.
 
The post The Vital Need for Independent Media / Corporate Media Self-Censorship and Spin About Gaza appeared first on KPFA.

In the first half of the show, Eleanor sits down with two residents of East Palestine, Ohio — Zsuzsa Gyenes and Chris Albright — to discuss the ongoing fallout from the catastrophic train derailment in February of last year. Zsuzsa and Chris talk about a purgatory of waiting without help, without answers, without accountability, all the while displaced and dealing with a range of illnesses, while local, state, and federal authorities bow to corporate greed over public health and justice.
Next up, retired army colonel Ann Wright joins the show to talk about the Freedom Flotilla: multiple vessels set to sail in mid-April carrying tons of humanitarian aid bound for Gaza. Ann talks about the history of these actions, the need for citizens to take action — even dangerous actions such as this — in order to do what their governments refuse to do: help the Palestinian people.
 
The post From East Palestine to Palestine, People Need Help appeared first on KPFA.

Britain’s High Court of Justice has ruled whether Julian Assange can appeal an extradition order that would send him to the U.S. Independent journalist Kevin Gozstola, author of Guilty of Journalism, explains the implications of the order and whether the U.S. might file new charges against the Wikileaks publisher, if it finally gets custody of him. They also discuss the significant consequences for press freedom should the case move forward.
Then, Eleanor speaks with independent journalist Hilary Beaumont about her recent reporting on solar geoengineering and tribal consent. Hilary outlines how this technology, which involves dispersing sulfur dioxide at high altitudes with the intent of offsetting some of the impact of climate change, represents yet another example of green colonialism. They discuss the negative and positive potential and effects of such methods and the paltry attention corporate media give to issues such as the intersection of Indigenous rights and the climate crisis.
GUESTS:
Kevin Gosztola is an independent journalist and author. He has covered the Julian Assange legal proceedings in the UK from their beginning, as well as other press-freedom and whistleblower cases, and has been a frequent guest on the Project Censored Show. His book on the Assange case, Guilty of Journalism: The Political Case Against Julian Assange was published in 2023. Gosztola is also the editor of the Dissenter newsletter.
Hilary Beaumont is a California-based independent investigative journalist who covers the climate crisis, indigenous rights, and immigration. Her work has been published by The Guardian, Al Jazeera, and High Country News.
 
The post Press Freedom and the Julian Assange Appeal / Green Colonialism, Tribal Consent, and Solar Geoengineering appeared first on KPFA.

In the first half of the show, researcher and U.S. military veteran Christian Sorensen joins Eleanor Goldfield to discuss the business of war, the mapping of it, the remarkable spread of it, and the very real ability and need to shift this trillion dollar industry to something more sustainable and peaceful. Sorensen explains how the military industrial complex in this country is the classic definition of fascism, and why confronting this uncomfortable fact is quite simply necessary for a livable future.
Then, we welcome Professor Richard Wolff back on the show, this time to articulate the dangerous delusions of American Exceptionalism that are hurting not only us but our allies in Europe as well. Professor Wolff outlines extreme miscalculations vis-à-vis Russia, China, and Israel; how right-wing fear mongering is failing; and the hope that’s building on the horizon, thanks to leftist organizing and campaigning.
 
The post Who Profits from U.S. Wars? / The Cost of American Delusions appeared first on KPFA.

This week’s show presents excerpts from a recent panel discussion about the “Military-Entertainment Complex.” Inspired by the documentary “Theaters of War,” the panelists examined the remarkable extent of Pentagon / CIA
influence over movies, television, and computer games, and its aim of molding the attitudes of Americans about the military as well as U.S. behavior in the world. The panel was co-sponsored by the Media Education Foundation and Project Censored, and moderated by Mickey Huff.
Roger Stahl is Professor of Communication at the University of Georgia, and the director of “Theaters of War.”
Robin Anderson is Professor Emerita of Media Studies at Fordham University.
Fatooma Saad is a doctoral student in Communications at Wayne State University, and formerly a Marine Corps corporal assigned to public relations.
Mnar Adley is the founder and editor-in-chief of Mint Press News, an online journalism site.
 
The post Silver Screen War Machine appeared first on KPFA.